When it comes to renewable energy and data center projects, Allendale hasn’t made headlines the way Blendon, Zeeland, and Jamestown Townships have. But behind the scenes, the Board of Trustees has been taking action.

Back in March of 2026, the Board took a stand against House Bills 5529 through 5531 and 5581 through 5585. These bills would significantly limit the local zoning authority and local decision making that is provided under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.

The Board passed a resolution expressing opposition to the bills and urging members of the Michigan Legislature “to preserve the long-standing principle of local control over land use planning and zoning decisions as contemplated by the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.”

At the Allendale Township Board meeting Tuesday night, May 26, Township Supervisor Adam Elenbaas explained that there’s a huge push in Lansing to take away zoning decisions at the local level. For example, the State would determine the zoning and guidelines for Allendale duplexes, single-family homes, etc. Decisions which, according to the Board, are best made at the local level. The bills are currently in committee.

Elenbaas went on to say that he’s been in contact with Allendale’s State Representative Luke Meerman, who is in favor of taking away local control. In addition to his own urgings, Elenbaas said Meerman needs to hear from constituents on how to vote to best represent the community. Reach out to Rep. Luke Meerman and Clerk of the Committee Edward Sleeper, if you’d like to voice your opinion.

Next Step: Moratorium

Enacting a moratorium is a two-step process, the first step being to introduce a first reading. Elenbaas said the moratorium was on Tuesday's agenda to demonstrate the Board’s intent to take action. The moratorium will put a pause on data centers, large scale solar farms, battery storage facilities, and wind farms.

The State has taken a lot of local control away, leaving few tools for the municipalities, Elenbaas explained. The moratorium will establish a pause for a period of one year. During that time, the township will update ordinances and guidelines for each of the four types of facilities. He added that the moratorium may need to be extended depending on the time it takes to do the research, gather feedback, etc. Some of that research will be on ways to best guard the coveted groundwater.

In two weeks, the moratorium will be up for a vote. Elenbaas said that the Board intends to pass the moratorium and give the township the opportunity to step through each motion of preparation. The Planning Commission will walk through the same steps, going through the zoning ordinance method. Some of the steps may be redundant but are necessary to ensure all work is done through a legal process.

Elenbaas pointed out that there are a lot of municipalities in the state that didn't take this path before the energy and data center applications came in and are now trying to figure out how to react instead of how to be proactive.

Compared to township meetings across Ottawa County where Planning Commissions and Township Boards seem to need the pleas and outcries of residents in order to fight for the local control they’re losing, Allendale has taken a stand with what appears to have been little community engagement.

Of the handful of residents who attended Tuesday night's meeting, some gave public comment to express their gratitude of what the Board is doing—taking steps beforehand instead of trying to work backwards, as one resident put it.

Another resident appreciated that the moratorium would allow Allendale time to engage with citizens to address concerns and set clear expectations. She encouraged the Board to do independent research and to remember that there is more risk to the citizen than a developer will disclose.

One resident noted that Allendale is not an industrial community, but a rural farming community, trying to preserve and stick to its roots while making improvements to the community.

The moratorium can be read in the packet of the May 26, 2026 meeting.

The vote for the moratorium will take place at the June 8, 2026 meeting.

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